South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg
If you have been injured in a dump truck accident, you may have suffered serious injuries for which you may be able to receive compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our skilled Miami truck accident attorney can review your case and prepare all of the documents needed to move you through the legal process. We understand this is a stressful time in your life, which is why we will try to make the process as seamless as possible for you.
Earlier this month, a 20-year-old man was fatally struck in Tampa after he walked in front of a dump truck. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, a dump truck was about to turn left on a green left turn arrow. As the truck was approaching the intersection, the pedestrian attempted to cross the street but was not within a crosswalk. As he stepped onto the street, he was hit by the truck and died at the scene of the accident. An investigation into the accident is ongoing.
A dump truck refers to a truck with a body that tilts or opens at the back for unloading. These trucks are typically used for transporting loose material, such as sand, gravel, or demolition waste, for construction. Due to the size, shape, and weight (weighing up to 60,000 pounds) of dump trucks, these vehicles pose distinct hazards to others on the road. Additionally, dump trucks have a higher center of gravity, putting them at a higher risk of tipping over. According to one survey of over 22,000 trucks involving fatality accidents, dump trucks have the highest fatality rate of any type of commercial truck. In fact, per 100 million miles traveled (MMT), these trucks had 5.96 fatalities.
If you have been injured in an accident involving a dump truck, you may be able to recover compensation through a negligence claim. In Florida, to show negligence, a plaintiff must establish the following elements: i) the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care; ii) the defendant breached the duty of care, meaning the defendant failed to act as a reasonable and prudent person would act under similar circumstances; and iii) the defendant’s breach was a direct cause of the dump truck accident and the resulting injuries.
In addition to the general standard of care expected of every driver on the road, trucking companies and their drivers are also required to follow federal and state rules. If a defendant violates one of these laws or regulations, the burden shifts to the defendant to establish that the violation was not a breach of duty or a direct cause of the crash.
Dump truck accidents can result in serious, even life-altering injuries, which can be extremely costly to treat. In the most serious cases, these accidents can result in death. If you or someone close to you was injured in a dump truck accident that was not your fault, you need to reach out to a seasoned Miami truck accident attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are committed to protecting your rights at every step of the way. For more information, reach out to us at 1-877-499-HURT (4878) or contact us online today.
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